Bloodiest border clash in years: Afghan Taliban claim seizure of Pakistani weapons, tanks
PTC Web Desk: A deadly wave of violence has erupted along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, leaving several dead and many more wounded after intense clashes between Afghan Taliban forces and the Pakistan Army in the early hours of Wednesday. Reports indicate that Taliban fighters destroyed a Pakistan Army border post and captured a military tank used in shelling Afghan positions.
The fierce exchange of fire spanned Pakistan’s Chaman district and Afghanistan’s Spin Boldak area, a volatile frontier that has frequently witnessed cross-border hostilities. Both Kabul and Islamabad have blamed each other for triggering the conflict, marking one of the deadliest confrontations between the two sides in recent years.
According to Afghan officials, 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed during the overnight operations, while Islamabad claimed its forces killed over 200 Afghan troops and lost 23 soldiers in return.
#BREAKING: Pakistan Army border outpost destroyed by Afghan Taliban Army in fresh Af-Pak border clashes. Many border posts of Pakistan Army decimated, Pakistani soldiers eliminated. pic.twitter.com/BNCASvJrBk — Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) October 15, 2025
? BREAKING: Afghan Taliban forces have seized a tank from Pakistan army and taken it to Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/8KGSrHohjE — OSINT Updates (@OsintUpdates) October 15, 2025
Afghanistan’s version
In a statement shared on X, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of launching “unprovoked” attacks on Spin Boldak, a key district linking Kandahar province with Balochistan. He said more than 12 civilians were killed and 100 others injured when Pakistani forces used both light and heavy weapons against Afghan positions.
“Unfortunately, this morning, Pakistani forces once again launched attacks with light and heavy weapons on Afghanistan’s Spin Boldak district of Kandahar, resulting in civilian casualties. Afghan forces were then compelled to retaliate,” Mujahid said.
The Taliban spokesman claimed that Afghan fighters destroyed Pakistani military posts, seized weapons and tanks, and killed “a large number” of Pakistani soldiers. “Multiple Pakistani aggressor soldiers were killed, their centres captured, and their military installations destroyed. Our mujahideen are prepared to defend the homeland with full strength,” he added.
Videos released by the Taliban purportedly show the aftermath of the fighting, including captured Pakistani military vehicles and the bodies of slain soldiers.
Pakistan’s response
Pakistan, however, dismissed Afghanistan’s claims and accused Taliban and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants of jointly attacking its border post “without provocation.” State-run media reported that Pakistani forces “responded effectively,” inflicting “significant damage” on Afghan military installations and tanks in Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
“Taliban forces attacked a Pakistani post near Chaman,” said Habib Ullah Bangulzai, the regional administrator of the district, adding that Pakistani troops “repulsed the attack” after nearly five hours of heavy fighting.
In a separate incident, Pakistan Taliban (TTP) militants attacked the Mahmoodzai Post in Orakzai’s Ghiljo area, killing eight Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers and leaving several others injured or missing.
This is the second major confrontation this week between the two neighbours. The recent escalation follows airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika province, which the Taliban blamed on Pakistan, claims Islamabad has yet to confirm.
- With inputs from agencies
